- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I've had a request to make known exactly how this program will work, what it will do, etc.
Basically:
The program will compile player stats from server log files. It will parse the logfile, and then output the compilation to an intermediary file where the stats will then be appended to a master file (this will allow for cumulatve stats). The final output will be a text file with html formatting so that, when opened, users will see a webpage with a table containing the statistics of everyone who played on that server while that log file was being recorded.
So, obviously the program is technically server-side, which is why I will need the cooperation of server admins. I say technically, because all it really needs is the logfile, which can be transferred, or saved, if you are renting a server. So that's a plus.
What isn't a plus is that I would love to patch the program directly into the Halo CE Dedicated Server Console, but I have no idea how to do that if it's even legal.
The other problem I run into is that, while the program will compile and prepare the stats, it won't upload them (at least I haven't figured out how to make it do that....). This could end up being a problem, because I know that server admins would get tired of constantly having to upload the stats.
Another potential problem is that after the logfile reaches a certain threshold (size), it overwrites itself. Meaning that if the program isn't run at regular intervals, that stats will be lost.
What i'd like to do is figure out a way to make the stats automatically upload to a central server. Otherwise you'll only be able to see your stats from each individual server on different sites (if that makes any sense).
Of course, by this point, if you haven't realized it - the program will not give real-time stats...
In my dreams, I'm able to patch the program into the Halo CE Dedicated Server Console and it runs as a command that can be enabled or disabled. It would gather stats as they were made - in real-time - and would, at the end of the game, during the display of the carnage report, upload them to a central server for display. But, then I wake up and realize my own programmng limitations.
I know my idea isn't ingenious.... and I know I'm kind of a newb at programming.... but I really want to do this and I'm good at figuring things out, so it will get done. If you know anybody with uber l337 programming skillz who wants to help - send 'em my way.
There will be a lot of tweaking to do once the program is written to make it more user-friendly, but I'm going to do it!